Linden Tree Still Has It’s Leaves

Question

We have several Linden trees in our yard that are probably at least 60 years of age. We’ve never had a problem with them until this year. It is mid January and the leaves are still on. It’s never done this in the past. Do you think my trees are dead?

Answer 1

Some deciduous trees normally exhibit marcescence, where dead leaves remain attached through winter. While more common in species like oaks, it could occasionally occur in lindens, especially in response to environmental factors like sudden autumnal cold snaps or sufficiently extended autumnal warm spells.